Mattarella: "Anyone born in the South is free to stay there"

“Those born in the South can freely choose to stay there, can return if they have had experiences elsewhere and can join those who come from outside”. It is a reflection on the Southern question as a key to the development of the entire country, as a national interest of Italy, that proposed byPresident of the Republic, Sergio Mattarellaat the monumental complex of Donnaregina for the initiative “Sud Vivo – 20 years with the South”, organized by the Foundation with the South.

The event, which celebrates the 20 years since the birth of the private non-profit organisationborn from the alliance between foundations of banking origin and the world of the third sector and voluntary work, constitutes the heart of the participatory campaign “Sud Vivo”, on the theme of depopulation and demographic regeneration of the South, promoted by the Foundation together with around 200 organisations, bodies and cultural entities from across the country. During the meeting the Sud Vivo Report is presented, together with a preview of theDemopolis investigation “Italians and depopulation. Not only in the South”. The head of state was welcomed by the president of the Campania Region Roberto Fico, the mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi, the prefect of Naples Michele Di Bari and the archbishop of Naples Domenico Battaglia.

Mattarella’s entry into the room was accompanied by a long round of applause before the playing of the national anthem.

The words of Sergio Mattarella

“I would like to thank for what we heard this morning. A wide range of experiences and initiatives were presented which around the Third Sector have promoted and developed concretely defined and pursued perspectives, so that, as the four verbs of the Foundation say, so clearly indicated, those born in the South can freely choose to stay there, can return if they have had experiences elsewhere and can then join those who come from outside to arrive in the South. This is a key to the development of the entire country, a national interest of Italy, and those who work for this purpose they carry out a precious task in the life of our national community – said the president of the Republic – For this reason I thank the Prime Minister and the Foundation with the South for what has been done in these twenty years, through many people who have shown their commitment with great generosity and passion. Thank you for what you did and said.”

The visit to the widespread diocesan museum

After the ceremony for the 20 years of the Foundation with the South, the President of the Republic, accompanied by Don Antonio Loffredo, director of the Mudd (widespread diocesan museum), visited theancient quadriportico of the Cathedral of Naples, where archaeological excavations are underway.

Entering from the episcopal palace, the Head of State crossed the oldest part of the Cathedral of Naples to reach the quadriportico which dates back to the 5th century, with material from the Roman era, with contemporary mosaics and a marble calendar from the 9th century which tells of liturgical life.

After the visit, President Sergio Mattarella left for Rome.

The Quadriportico and its rebirth

The Quadriportico, a particularly important testimony to the early Christian history of Naples, will be returned to public use at the end of a complex restoration and conservative rehabilitation intervention, accompanied by new archaeological investigations which have contributed to broadening knowledge of the site.
The interventions were carried out under the scientific direction of the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Municipality of Naples, with the support of the Archdiocese of Naples, as part of the ‘Restoration and conservative rehabilitation of the Diocesan Museum of Naples’ project, financed by Ales – ex Arcus spa, while the archaeological investigations were financed by the Ministry of Culture.

The inauguration is scheduled for the end of this yearand the Quadriportico will enter the path of the Diffuse Diocesan Museum of Naples, which will manage and enhance the site through the Napoli C’entro Ets Foundation, which will take care of its reception and public use.
The opening represents a new step in the cultural heritage valorization project promoted by the Church of Naples, which combines accessibility, care of places and involvement of young people, creating new training and work opportunities.